ISLAMABAD: Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has urged public sector schools to be equipped with the necessary resources to teach essential skills, ensuring that the proposed reforms yield broader social benefits.
During a meeting on teacher training institutes, the minister emphasized the urgent need for educational reforms to better prepare the youth for future challenges. The meeting was attended by the Secretary and Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Education, along with senior officials and representatives of the Ministries of Planning and Education. Officials highlighted serious deficiencies in the country’s education system, saying 1.8 million teachers needed to be trained to meet modern challenges.
Also, with the demand for one million new teachers to meet the needs of the growing population, the minister stressed the need for globally recognized training programs to be in tune with 21st century teaching standards. The officials briefed the federal minister on the teacher training initiative, led by the National Institute of Excellence in Teacher Education in collaboration with the LUMS School of Education.
Discussing the proposed educational reforms, Iqbal emphasized the importance of reviving basic ethics and developing a global perspective among the youth. He said that our education system should focus on building team dynamics, promoting cooperation and achieving collective success. The minister emphasized the emerging role of teachers as knowledge managers, responsible for producing future leaders equipped with life skills and a strong sense of community.
Proposed solutions include adopting best practices from countries such as Finland, Singapore, Australia and Vietnam, integrating theory with practice, promoting adaptation, and linking accreditation to career development. He emphasized the need for mandatory certification to test the leadership skills of headmasters and headmistresses.